Based on hospital records,a 3-day-old newborn has not had a bowel movement.Upon re-examination,you notice the baby's abdomen appears bloated and the infant is beginning to run a fever.Soon after feeding,the baby also exhibits severe vomiting and can't keep anything down.As a physician,you request abdominal x-rays,and you find that the jejunum is drastically dilated,with the remainder of the lower small large intestines appearing smaller in diameter than expected.What is the likely cause?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, including a bloated abdomen, fever, severe vomiting, and the specific findings on the abdominal x-ray (drastically dilated jejunum with the remainder of the lower small and large intestines appearing smaller in diameter), are indicative of Hirschsprung's disease. This condition is characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the distal colon, leading to a functional obstruction and these clinical manifestations.

Based on Hospital Records,a 3-Day-Old Newborn Has Not Had a Bowel